What information is in a credit report?

Your credit report includes information about outstanding loans, debt repayment, and credit limits. Late payments on credit cards and loans, unpaid debts, bankruptcy, and court judgments against you—such as child support payments or lawsuits in which you owe money—are examples of information credit grantors view negatively.

A record of who has accessed your credit report is also included. These are called “inquiries”. You initiate inquiries when applying for a credit card, lease, employment or loan and the creditor accesses your report to make a decision. Inquiries you do not initiate come from credit companies who send preapproved offers based on your credit history.

Your report also includes non-credit information, such as jobs you’ve held, your date of birth, and your address. It’s also linked to your Social Security number. Race, religion, and political preference are examples of information not contained in your credit report.